What Everyone Can Do
We hope you enjoyed our public service announcements and we are pleased to welcome you to www.pcaky.org where you can find more information about getting involved and making a difference. Have questions? Want more information specific to your community?
Email us at pcaky@pcaky.org or call 1-800-CHILDREN. We would love to hear from you.
What can I do to support a family and help prevent Pediatric Abusive Head Trauma/ Shaken Baby Syndrome?
• Stop and see a struggling parent. Smile, offer words of encouragement or lend a hand (hold the door, help with the grocery bags).
• Offer to fix a meal ... or just bring it and leave it.
• Offer a parent a break. Take the baby for a walk, offer to watch the baby to let mom or dad take a shower or go to the grocery or have a few minutes to herself or himself.
• Offer to be a time-out resource. Let a parent know that it is ok to feel frustrated and when they do, they can call you to come and hold the baby while they take a time out.
• Tell parents about 1-800-CHILDREN and other local resources (parenting classes, mothers morning out).
• Spread the word that it is NEVER ok to shake a baby.
What can I do to support fathers?
• Encourage fathers. Tell them they are doing a great job! Point out the positive.
• Take the time to engage and include fathers as it relates to their children. Don't make assumptions about them not wanting to be involved in their children's activities and experiences.
• Give dad a break. Offer to take kids out to eat or for a walk.
• Offer to assist with seeking resources or seeking appropriate child-care resources.
• Offer to assist with transportation to and from activities.
• Make sure that you take the time to include and engage fathers!
What can I do to support families with teenagers?
• Include older child in activities at your place of worship (youth group, bible study).
• Tell parents about resources such as parenting classes.
• Offer to get the teenager involved in a sport or arts program.
• Offer homework assistance or tutoring.
• Offer to assist a family with transportation or supervision issues.
• Encourage parents to take care of themselves by engaging in activity that will help relieve stress.
• Encourage parents to remove themselves from situations that become volatile and to take a time out before confronting difficult situations. Let them know it is ok to feel frustrated and it is ok to ask for help.
Fayette County Friends of Children: A Community Partnership
Friends of Children: A Community Partnership is a collaborative group that meets monthly to discuss the prevention of child abuse and neglect. It is an opportunity for community partners, child welfare representatives, business leaders, faith based representatives and social services providers to come together to work within Fayette County to develop ideas and projects that can prevent abuse and neglect of children. The broad and diverse participation of this network will result in strengthened relationships within the community. It will additionally build a stronger network working towards child abuse prevention.. Friends of Children have several committees focusing on major issues which include: parent advocacy, faith based and fatherhood involvement, and family well-being and safety.
If you would like to make a change in your community: call for information, get involved and make a difference!
For meeting information, you may contact Prevent Child Abuse Kentucky (PCAK) at
1-800-CHILDREN or pcaky@pcaky.orgor contact Suzanne Polis, the network coordinator at 859-624-2046 at spolis@foothillscap.org.
Help prevent child abuse and neglect in your community. Try the following ideas as starting points for planning activities to help raise awareness and protect children.
Participate in Pinwheels for Prevention
Each April, communities throughout the state display colorful children’s pinwheels in front of courthouses, playgrounds, libraries and parks. Additionally, education and media campaigns will complement these displays and raise awareness of child abuse and neglect.
Hold a Blue Ribbon Campaign
A Virginia grandmother, Bonnie W. Finney, tied a blue ribbon to the antenna of her van. When asked about it, she told people the tragic story of the abuse of her grandchildren, and the resulting death of her grandson. Since then, millions of people across the country have participated in Blue Ribbon campaigns by wearing the ribbons, or tying ribbons around courthouse steps or a prominent tree for each child reported abused and or neglected within your county gets citizens involved in Child Abuse Prevention Month (CAPM) activities and reminds people they can help prevent child abuse in their communities. Order your blue ribbon now using the form at the end of this packet.
Involve Local Faith Communities
Invite the faith community and general public to learn about and help prevent child abuse and family violence.
Volunteer at an Organization Providing Family Support Services
Call Prevent Child Abuse Kentucky to learn about organizations providing family support services, 1-800-CHILDREN.
Engage Local Legislators
Write, call or email your local legislators to ensure they are aware that
April is Child Abuse Prevention Month.
Involve the Media
Submit a press release or feature story to your local newspaper or TV/ radio station.
Secure a Child Abuse Prevention Month proclamation by your Mayor or City Council.
Host Storybook Night at Your Local Library
Partner with your local library and volunteer to read to children.
Distribute Educational Resources for Parents
PCAK maintains a library, complete with videos, books, curriculums and brochures are maintained to provide parents and caregivers vital information designed to strengthen families. PCAK recognizes that the best way to promote prevention is to provide parents with the skills and resources they need to understand and meet their children’s needs.
